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String Theory at the Hunter to Present “Beethoven, Ravel, and Brahms”

Events, Music, News

String Theory at the Hunter, in partnership with Lee University and the Hunter Museum of American Art, will continue Season Thirteen on Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 6:30 p.m. Celebrated horn virtuoso Radovan Vlatković, making his String Theory debut, will be joined by acclaimed violinist Soovin Kim, and Artistic Director and pianist Gloria Chien.

Vlatković, Kim, and Chien will perform Beethoven’s Horn Sonata Op. 17, Ravel’s Violin Sonata No. 2, and Brahms’ Horn Trio, a hauntingly beautiful blend of elegy, nostalgia, and vigor.

“We are excited to perform this monumental work with the most celebrated horn player in the world,” said Chien.

At 6 p.m., prior to the concert, the musicians will hold “Musical Dialogue,” a conversation on their lives, inspirations, and the masterpieces being performed that evening.

Vlatković has travelled the globe as a horn soloist, recording artist, and teacher. It has been said that he can “make his horn sing…a slender, warm, and most notably clear sound.” He has won numerous awards, including an Honorary Membership of the Royal Academy of Music and the German Critics Award. Vlatković has also been Artistic Director of the September Chamber Music Festival in Maribor, Slovenia; premiered multiple works; taught at Stuttgart Musikhochschule and Mozarteum in Salzburg; and performed with several symphony and chamber orchestras.

Kim, an internationally renowned violinist described as “superb…impassioned,” (Berkshire Review) was the first violinist of the Johannes String Quartet for 20 years, until they disbanded. He frequently performs at the Marlboro Festival and founded the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival. He can be heard on multiple recordings, including his solo CD “Gypsy.” Kim is currently a member of the faculty at the New England Conservatory. He has been awarded the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award, an Avery Fisher Career Grant, and the Henryk Szeryng Foundation Career Award.

Chien is the co-artistic director of Chamber Music Northwest in Portland, Oregon, as well as the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival in Burlington, Vermont, along with her husband, Kim. For the last decade, she was the director of the Chamber Music Institute at Music@Menlo. She frequently appears with the Chamber Music Society (CMS) of Lincoln Center and is a Steinway Artist. She also serves as an artist-in-residence at Lee University.

Earlier this month, Chien and Kim were named the recipients of the 2021 CMS Award for their extraordinary service to chamber music. This award, given only under special circumstances, will be presented to them on Nov. 9 at Alice Tully Hall in New York City, following a CMS concert.

“Even during the deepest and darkest days of the pandemic, we knew this award should go next to those who were working tirelessly to keep the art form thriving in the face of tremendous odds,” said David Finckel and Wu Han, co-artistic directors of CMS. “As young artistic directors, and stellar performers, Gloria and Soovin have set an example, not only as artists, but citizens of the world.”

Tickets are on sale now through November 16 for the String Theory concert and are $45 for general admission, $35 for Hunter Museum members, $10 for students and music teachers with ID, and $25 for groups of 20 or more.

The performance will also be aired on WTCI-TV Channel 45 Broadcast on Saturday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m.

String Theory was founded in 2009 by Chien to expose new audiences to chamber music, invigorate the local classical music scene, and cultivate a future generation of music lovers.

String Theory at the Hunter is dedicated to the health and safety of its members, guests, and the surrounding community. To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, attendees must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of the concert. Temperature checks will be taken for guests under age 12. Masks are also required, regardless of vaccination status, and social-distancing guidelines will be observed.

Season Thirteen will continue in February 2022 with violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky, cellist David Requiro making his String Theory debut, and Chien. The trio will perform Josef Suk’s Elegy, Zoltán Kodály’s Duo for Violin and Cello, and Bedřich Smetana’s Piano Trio in G minor.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.stringtheorymusic.org/concerts/beethoven-ravel-and-brahms or call (423) 414-2525.

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